Go-ahead for completion of Kenwick Rail Tunnel

14/05/2003 9:20 AM

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14/5/03

The final stage of the Kenwick Rail Tunnel is under way, Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan announced today.John Holland Pty Ltd had been awarded the construction contract for $14.225million.

“The awarding of the contract represents a further step in the provision of the railway spur to Thornlie from the existing Armadale line,” Ms MacTiernan said. “With the change of the Perth-to-Mandurah railway route, the spur was desirable to provide rail services to an area which is growing rapidly.

“It has been estimated that the spur will provide an extra 3,500 daily boardings from the station at Spencer Road, Thornlie.

“The tunnel will enable the railway line to Thornlie to cross under the Roe Highway and the railway freight line."Eventually the spur will extend to Nicholson Road."

Ms MacTiernan said the first stage of the Kenwick Rail Tunnel was built nearly two years ago to accommodate the Albany Highway realignment works, as well as an extension to the Roe Highway.

The second and final stage of the tunnel will be completed by July next year (2004) in time for services to start by the end of 2004.

Stage Two of the Kenwick Rail Tunnel will comprise:

the construction of nearly 380m of concrete structure and tunnel. The completed covered tunnel will be 440m long;

the relocation of about 1.4km of the Woodbridge to Kwinana freight railway; and

erection of a wall adjacent to Burham Road to minimise noise from passenger trains, freight trains and the traffic on Roe Highway.

Ms MacTiernan said the new Thornlie station would incorporate a bus/rail interchange, car drop-off and pick-up facilities, pedestrian and bicycle access and parking for 450 cars.

Trains between Thornlie and Perth would run an average of every 15 minutes during peak and business hours.

The Minister said other rail works in Thornlie would be undertaken throughout the year. Nine Government-owned houses in Spencer Road would be demolished next month in preparation for the construction of the Spencer Road Bridge, which would commence in October.